felicia & megan

Outline

Taking Initial Steps Toward Unity

1. Napoleon Raids German Lands

   1. Napoleon annexed lands along the Rhine River for France, in German-speaking countries.

   2. French emeperor was welcomed, he encouraged freeing the serfs, made trade easier, and abolished laws against the Jewish. Not all Germans appreciated Napoleon and his changes, people fought top free their lands, and they demanded a unified German state.

   3. At the Congress of Vienna, Metternich said that making a united Germany would require breaking up the government of each state.

2. Economic Changes Promote Unity

   1. 1830s, Prussia created a union called Zollverein.

   2. It took away tariff barriers between the German states.

   3. 1848, liberals meeting in the Frankfurt Assembly again demanded German political unity.

   4. Frederick William IV of Prussia was offered the throne if the united German state.

Bismarck Unites Germany

1. Master of Realpolitik

   1. Otto von Bismarck came from Prussia's Junker class and he had succeeded where others had failed.

   2. Bismarck was a master of Realpolitik, and power was more important than principles.

   3. Bismarck was very loyal to Hohenzollerns, which is the ruling dynasty of Prussia. Hohenzollerns represented powerful, traditional moarchy.

2. Strengthening The Army

   1. Bismarck's first move was to build up the Prussian Army.

   2. Liberal legislature rejected to vote for funds to support the military. Bismarck used money that was collected for other purposes to strengthen the army.

   3. Within the next 10 years, Otto von Bismarck led Prussia into three wars. All three wars increased Prussian prestige, power, and made way for German unity.

3. Prussia Declares War with Denmark and Austria

   1. In 1864, Bismarck's first move was to form a team with Austria. After alligning with Austria, they took the provinces of Schleswig and Holstein of Denmark.

   2. Austria administered Holstein, and Prussia administered Schleswig.

   3. In 1866, Otto von Bismarck attacked Austria, which triggered the seven week long The Austro-Prussian War. The war ended in a Prussian victory.

4. France Declares War Prussia

1. Prussian victory over austria angered napolean

2. bismarck furthered the crisis by rewiriting and then releasing to the press a teleagram

3. real power remained in hands of the emperor

Birth of the German Empire

1. constitution drafted by bismark set up a two house legislature